Safe Birth Control Methods, Pros and Cons

Hormonal methods are safer and more effective than barrier methods, it is obvious. Their failure rates are much lower.

Oral contraceptives have a low failure rate. They contain hormones: estrogen and progestin, which prevents ovaries from producing an egg and alter the lining of the womb as well as the cervical mucus to keep the sperm away from the egg. Aside from preventing an unwanted pregnancy, oral contraceptives have one more advantage: they minimize pain and discomfort during a period. The convulsions of the womb become less painful, the bleeding lighter, nausea is gone. There are women who take oral contraceptives when they have no sex partners, only to keep their period under control.

There exist combined pills that were meant for three months: for twelve weeks, the patient takes pills that contain hormones, and for one week, she takes pills that do not contain any hormones: this one week is meant for having her period. It means that these women have their period only once in every three months. Since most women experience negative feelings, pain, and intense discomfort during their period, this kind of oral contraception is very convenient for them.

Some gynecologists say that it is not a fortunate choice to extend the natural cycle of the menstruation to three months, because it may have a negative effect on the hormone system. When a woman has one period in three months, it is not easy to detect a possible pregnancy. Some doctors do not recommend oral contraception for women who are over 35 years, smoke, are prone to blood clotting, or have had breast, liver, or endometrial cancer. Antibiotics may interfere with the effects of oral contraception. Side effects can be the following: nausea, stomach pain, weight gain, mood changes, changes in sexual desire or bleeding between periods. Oral contraception increases the risk of high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

Essure is a permanent birth control method that does not require a surgery. The gynecologist inserts a thin tube in the vagina and places a spring-like device into both fallopian tubes. Within three months, scar tissues grow around the device, blocking the fallopian tubes. In rare cases, this method has side-effects like abdominal pain or ectopic pregnancy.

Surgical sterilization closes the fallopian tubes, so the egg cannot reach the uterus and get fertilized. Their failure rate is extremely low, it is a very safe way of permanent birth control. Side effects may include abdominal pain, bleeding, and ectopic pregnancy.